THE BLESSINGS IN GIVING!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2019.

SUBJECT: THE BLESSINGS IN GIVING! 

Memory verse: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20 vs 35.)

READ: Luke 6 vs 38; 16 vs 10 - 11; Second Corinthians 9 vs 8 - 11:

6:38: Give and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.

16:10: He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.

16:11: Therefore If you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

Second Corinthians 9:8: And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work

9:9: As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”

9:10: Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness,

9:11: while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.

INTIMATION:

Giving is a service to God, especially when it is done for God’s work, and within the household of faith. In God's economy, you move closer toward your goals by giving out than you do by clinging to everything you have. God is the source of all you have; “A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.” (John 3 vs 27.) Every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1 vs 17), He alone gives us power to get wealth (Deuteronomy 8 vs 18). Consequently, He blesses us so that we can be a blessing (Genesis 12 vs 3). 

God is our source of all we have, regardless of how much effort we put into earning a living. Yes, money or possessions may be difficult to come by, and you may have worked hard to acquire them, and giving some of them away would only seem to put you further away from the goal of having all your needs met. All of that would be true if God wasn't your source. For instance, the people of our generation live at a level of relative prosperity that most people throughout history couldn't have dreamed of, yet we didn't do anything to be born at this time. We didn't cause ourselves to be born into such opportunity and freedom. It is quite obvious that the ability to prosper is a gift from God, and we can't boast of the opportunities we have been given.

The apostle Paul used those splendid words in First Corinthians 4 vs 7 to emphasize the fact that all you have you have received; "For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?" 

The apostle Paul, In Galatians 6 vs 9  - 10 says; “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Paul challenges us to continue in the act of doing good, like giving to the needy, especially among believers, whether it is acknowledged or not. Although, it is discouraging to continue doing right and receiving no word of thanks or see any tangible results, but we should trust God for the results if we faint not. In due time, we will reap a harvest of blessing, and a crown of glory in eternity with Christ.

God gives us resources to use and invest for Him. The resources He gives us are not to be hidden, foolishly devoured, or thrown away. Instead, they should be cultivated in order to produce more resources; “Blessed to be a blessing.” When we invest what God has given us in His work, and according to His will, He will provide us with even more to give in His service. Therefore, there is no lack in giving according to God’s will; He will make you sufficient in all things, that you may have an abundance for every good work. He owns all things, and shows His compassion to whom He chooses (Romans 9 vs 15). Your giving is also counted for you as righteousness, and He ensures you prosper in the things you do, and is enriched in everything for all generosity.

Your selfishness with possessions is ungodly. God has only entrusted all you have to your care, and stewardship to Him. It is not yours, God owns all resources (Psalm 50 vs 12). And proper use of the resources entrusted in our care by the Owner is demonstrated in how we use it to earn eternal benefit. For instance, If we use our money to help those in need or to help others find Christ, our earthly investment will bring eternal benefit. Unselfish use of the possessions is an act of obedience to God’s Will. It's one thing to say you believe God is your source, but it's another thing to prove it. The way you prove to yourself, not God, is to give a portion of what you make back to Him.

Prayer: Abba Father, All I have I have received from You! Endue me with the spirit of giving to serve You and others with what You gave entrusted in my care, that I may be approved as a worthy steward, and earn myself true riches, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

THE PURIFYING BLOOD OF JESUS!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2019.

SUBJECT : THE PURIFYING BLOOD OF JESUS!

Memory verse: 

“Whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,

" 

(Romans 3 vs 25.)

READ: Revelation 7 vs 9 - 17:

7:9: After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, people, and tongues, standing before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands,

7:10: and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and unto the Lamb!
7:11: All the angels stood round the throne, and the elders and the four creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God,
7:12: saying: “Amen! Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be to our God for ever and ever. Amen.”
7:13: Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?”
7:14: And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
7:15: Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.
7:16: They shall hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat;

7:17: for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

INTIMATION:

Sin is a moral evil, a transgression of God’s will, or rebellion against God’s laws. It is a perversion of heart culminating into wrongdoing and committing of offense, thereby missing the expected mark of an upright moral life. And sin alienates us from God; our relationship with God is severed. And if allowed to continue or stay, will completely lead to our permanent separation from God, our eventual destruction.

God, in His infinite mercy, benevolence, and love, made a provision for our reconciliation to Himself through the sacrifice of His Son’s life for the sin of the whole world: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3 vs 16.) Christ died in our place, for our sins. God is justifiably angry at sinners. They have rebelled against Him and cut themselves off from His life-giving power. But God declares Christ’s death, the shedding of His blood, to be the appropriate, designated sacrifice for our sin. Christ then stands in our place, having paid the penalty of death for our sin, and He completely satisfies God’s demands. His sacrifice brings pardon, deliverance, and freedom.

The passage we read today gives us the glimpse of the believers cleansing by the purifying blood of Jesus, and their final rest with God in His place. The blood of Jesus washes us clean from sin’s stubborn stain, and it is the only remedy available to mankind. It is difficult to imagine how blood could make any cloth white, but the blood of Jesus Christ is the world’s greatest purifier because it removes the stain of sin, no matter how deep the stain. White symbolizes sinless perfection or holiness, which can be given to people only by the death of the sinless Lamb of God on our behalf. This is a picture of how we are saved through faith in what Christ has wrought for us in redemption. 

All who have been faithful through the ages are singing before God’s throne. Their tribulations and sorrows are over: no more tears for sin, for all sins are forgiven; no more tears for death, for all believers have been resurrected to die no more. The multitude in heaven is composed of all those who remained faithful to God throughout the generations. God includes and protects each of all the believers, and they are all guaranteed a place in His presence. 

God will provide for His children’s needs in their eternal home where there will be no hunger, thirst, or pain, and He will wipe away all tears. When you are suffering or torn apart by sorrow, take comfort in this promise of complete perfection and relief. The believers come through their times of suffering by remaining loyal to God. Because they remain faithful, God will give them eternal life with Him.

God says, “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow, though they are red like crimson they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1 vs 18.) Crimson was the color of a deep-red permanent dye, and its deep stain was virtually impossible to remove from clothing. The stain of sin seems equally permanent, but God can remove sin’s stain from our lives, if we are willing and obedient. Christ will forgive and remove our most indelible stains through His purifying blood.

Christianity is unique in that no good deed that we do will make us right with God. No amount of human achievement or personal goodness will close the gap between God’s moral perfection and our imperfect daily performance. People try many methods to remove the guilt of sin—good deeds, intellectual pursuits, and even casting blame on others. Good deeds are important, but they will not earn us eternal life. But we are saved only by trusting in what Jesus Christ has done for us; purifying us from the stain of sin through His blood. Have you had the guilt of sin removed in the only way possible? 

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You most precious Redeemer for the gift of Your Son to the World as a propitiation for our sins. With His blood He has purified all who put their trust in Him as Lord and Savior. Endue me with the spirit of raw obedience to Him, in Jesus’ most precious Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

THE BANE OF COMPROMISED FAITH!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2019.

SUBJECT : THE BANE OF COMPROMISED FAITH!

Memory verse: 

“But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.

" 

(Revelation 2 vs 14.)

READ: Second Peter 2 vs 15 - 16:

2:15: They have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

2:16: but he was rebuked for his iniquity; a dumb donkey speaking with man's voice restrained the madness of the prophet.

INTIMATION:

Compromised faith gives up part of something it believes in. Obedience to rules of engagement is incomplete. A right relationship with God is based on our faith—the heartfelt inner confidence that God is who He says He is and does what He says He will do. This occasions sincere and complete obedience to His laws. Unfortunately, the cares of this world—possessions, pleasures, power etc—have continued to be a bane of many having a right relationship with God, compromising our faith in Him. Lack of faith in God leads to many problems. This invariably, happens when we take over for God, trying to make His promise come true through efforts that are not in line with His specific directions. 

The passage we read today, is about Balaam, one of those noteworthy Old Testament characters who, though not one of God’s chosen people, was willing to acknowledge that the Lord was indeed a powerful God. But he did not believe in the Lord as the only true God. He faith in God was compromised. His story exposes the deception of maintaining an outward facade of spirituality over a corrupt inward life. Balaam was a man ready to obey God’s command as long as he could profit from doing so. The mixture of motives—obedience and profit—eventually led to Balaam’s death. Although he realized the awesome power of Israel’s God, His heart was occupied with the wealth he could gain in Moab. 

Balaam entered his prophetic role seriously, but his heart was mixed. He had some knowledge of God, but not enough to forsake his magic and turn wholeheartedly to God. Although the earlier stories recorded in Numbers 22 vs 1 - 24 vs 25 portrayed Balaam as obedient to God, but eventually his evil motives and desire for money won out (Numbers 25 vs 1 - 3; 31 vs 16). He couldn’t resist the tempting pull of money and idolatry. Haven compromised his faith, he used religion for personal advancement, a sin that God does not take lightly. And he caused the children of Israel great harm. 

The consequences of Balaam’s compromised faith to the Israelites was recorded In Numbers 31 vs 16, the Scripture says, “Look, these women caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the Lord in the incident of Poer, and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord.” And in the Book of Jude, the Scripture says, “Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.” (Jude 11.) 

Jude gives three examples of men of compromised faith who did whatever they wanted: Cain, who murdered his brother out of vengeful jealousy (Genesis 4 vs 1 - 16); Balaam, who prophesied out of greed, not out of obedience to God’s command (Numbers 22 - 24); Korah, who rebelled against God’s divinely appointed leaders, wanting the power for himself (Numbers 16 vs 1 - 35). These stories illustrate attitudes that are typical of those who compromise their faith in God—pride, selflessness, jealousy, greed, lust for power, and disregard of God’s will. Their outward appearance and actions—pious, church attendance, prayer, good deeds—do not reflect their inner conviction and commitment to God. 

Our society is adorned with the likes of Balaam; people who have compromised their faith: pastors, prophets, apostles, teachers, and laity. The cares of this world have a great pull on such persons, that they pick and choose what, and what not to believe or obey in God’s laws. Many believers live through the same process. Who and what we are will somehow come to the surface, destroying any masks we may have used in order to cover up our real selves. Outwardly we appear pious, but inwardly harboring sinful desires. Efforts spent in keeping up appearances would be much better spent on finding the answer to sin in our lives. We can avoid Balaam’s mistake by facing ourselves and realizing that God is willing to accept us, forgive us, and literally make us over from within.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of un-compromised faith in You, that I will have an unfettered right relationship with You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

RAISING YOUR CHILDREN. OPEN. HEAVEN

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: FRIDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER 2019

THEME: RAISING YOUR CHILDREN


MEMORISE:
And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children. Isaiah  54:13


READ: 1 Samuel  2:27-33

2:27 And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house?  2:28 And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?  2:29 Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?  2:30 Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.  2:31 Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house.  2:32 And thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel: and there shall not be an old man in thine house for ever.  2:33 And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart: and all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age.


MESSAGE

Parents are stewards to whom God has entrusted children for proper care, and He expects to get a good report of their performance in this assignment. In essence, every parent is a caretaker of his or her children. As a parent, how are you carrying out this delicate assignment? Are you handling it with levity of putting in all the effort it requires? Modernisation is fast eroding good culture in our children. Many parents in the name of modernisation put tight and revealing clothes on their little children when they are going out. How do you expect little girls like that to dress when they become adults? Many parents complain about their teenage children's choice of clothes and level of sexual exposure, without realising that they are the ones who caused it all. These days, some parents claim they don't want to "force a religion" on their children, saying they want them to choose for themselves; so, they go to church and leave their children at home sleeping. However, when it comes to education, they force their children to wake up early to go to school. Can't you see that the devil is already deceiving you into placing your child in his hands? How can you say your life is better because you met Jesus Christ, yet you want to leave your child to possibly choose something else? Ensure your children go to church and that they read their Bibles. Introduce them to the One who died to save their souls, doing the best you can to ensure that they are saved, and trust God to keep them in the light when they are old enough to be on their own.


It is unfortunate that the devil has also started deceiving people into thinking that using the rod on a child is wrong. You may not agree with me, but I know that God's word is never wrong. Proverbs  23:13-14 says:

"Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell."

In fact, the word of God says if you don't use the rod on your child, then it means you hate that child (Proverbs 13:24). There is a difference between child abuse and chastising a child. You can withhold the cane and still abuse that child, whereas you can use a cane and correct in love. Let us get it clear: our attention should be on correcting with love and not on whether you use the rod or not. The word of God is ever true: if you love your child, you will always instruct that child and will not spare the rod when it is necessary to discipline him or her. Put in your best efforts to ensure that you raise your children in God's way.


KEY POINT:
Are you training your children in God's way or the way society dictates?


BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Kings 19-20, Daniel 8:15-9:2

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE


HYMN 16: GOD, GIVE US CHRISTIAN HOMES

1. God give us Christian homes
Homes where the Bible is loved and taught
Homes where the Master's will is sought
Homes crowned with beauty Thy love hath wrought
God give us Christian homes
God give us Christian homes

2. God give us Christian homes
Homes where the father is true and strong
Homes that are free from the blight of wrong
Homes that are joyous with love and song
God give us Christian homes
God give us Christian homes

3. God give us Christian homes
Homes where the mother, in caring quest
Strives to show others Your way is best
Homes where the Lord is an honoured guest
God give us Christian homes
God give us Christian homes

4. God give us Christian homes
Homes where the children are led to know
Christ in His beauty who loves them so
Homes where the altar fires burn and glow
God give us Christian homes
God give us Christian homes.

A SHORT STORY

A SHORT STORY
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There was an aged artist who lived in a small village. The man used to design beautiful artistic works to be sold at an attractive price.

One day, a poor man among the villagers challenged the old man saying: "You earn a lot of money from your handiwork but why don't you assist poor people in the village?

Can’t you see that the butcher is not as rich as you are, but he still shares free meat to the poor people in the village?

Also, look at the village baker. He is a poor man with a large family. Yet he gives the poor people free loaves of bread".

The artist did not respond angrily to the accusations. He only smiled.

The poor man was confused about the reaction of the artist so he left him and went out spreading rumors that the artist was so rich, but he was a selfish person who only accumulated wealth and refused to help the poor.

The villagers hated the old artist and they all forsook him.

The old artist became sick and could not do anything for himself but nobody among the villagers cared to visit him or helped him so he died a lonely old man.

The days passed by and the villagers observed that the butcher stopped free distribution of meat and the baker could not give the poor people free loaves of bread any more.

When the butcher and the baker were asked why they stopped helping the villagers, they said that: "the old artist used to donate money every month to pay for the free meat and bread to the poor people in the village. Now that he was dead, there was nobody to pay for the free food anymore"

Actually, many people may have wrong impressions and different opinions about you.

But do not allow any of them to influence or destroy who you are.

Do not pass judgment on anyone based on his physical appearance or what people say about him.

There are things about his personal life you do not know.
If you were privileged to know about them, your judgment would surely be different.

 A man died in a drinking- spot / dance hall.
 Another person died in the Church.
 If we are to judge them, we would say that the 1st man died a sinner and the 2nd man died a righteous man.

But the 1st man entered the drinking spot to preach against sin and the 2nd man entered the Church to steal from the church.

For this reason, you and I cannot decide who goes to heaven or who goes to hell.

Fear God in your privacy and fear God in the open.

Human physical appearance is just a deception therefore forgive people and ignore their short - comings.

Pray for one another.
Be good to everybody. And don't cut off your relationship with a person just because he does not please you.

Establish unity and harmony with all.

For the LORD Who created all souls, knows what each soul conceals.

May GOD Bless You all Amen from evangelist OLATUNBOSUN BOSEDE ISAAC  Good morning

WHAT WOULD JESUS JESUS SAY OF YOU

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2019.

SUBJECT : WHAT WOULD JESUS SAY OF YOU?

Memory verse: “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name out of the Book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels." (Revelation 3 vs 5.)

READ: Luke 12 vs 8 - 9:
12:8: Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God:
9 But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.

INTIMATION:
Our true value is God’s estimate of our worth. How would Christ confess your name before His Father, and the angels of God? Jesus said, “Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God.” Anyone who confesses Jesus Christ (that is, publicly acknowledges faith in or declares allegiance to Him) will be acknowledged by Christ before His Father in heaven, and before the angels of God. We acknowledge Him when we (1) live moral, upright, Christ-honoring lives, (2) look for opportunities to share our faith with others, (3) help others in need, (4) take a stand for justice, (5) love others, (6) acknowledge our loyalty to Christ, and (7) use our lives and resources to carry out His desires rather than our own.

Now, considering the seven points above, how would you score or rate yourself? The points are not multiple choice or a pick and drop option, but rather an all-inclusive demand of any follower of Christ. In our memory verse, Jesus was admonishing the church in Sardis, He said to them, “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name out of the Book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels." To be “clothed in white” means to be set apart for God and made pure. Christ promises future honor and eternal life to those who stand firm in their faith. For such believers, their names are registered in the Book of Life. This book symbolizes God’s knowledge of who belongs to Him. All such people are guaranteed a listing in the Book of Life and are introduced to the hosts of heaven as belonging to Christ.

For those who reject Jesus, they will be sentenced to eternal condemnation, and they will also be denied by Him before the Father in heaven, and the angels of God. What a tragedy! Rejecting Christ will guarantee an eternity of shame later. We deny Jesus when we (1) hope no one will find out we are Christians, (2) decide not to speak up for what is right, (3) are silent about our relationship with God, (4) blend into society, and (5) accept our culture’s non-Christian values. We can reject Jesus now and be rejected by Him at His second coming, or we can accept Him now and be accepted by Him then.

Have you ever thought of such idea or bothered about who Jesus would say you are? Interestingly, this should be the most important question in everyone’s life, and requires a sincere answer. This is because of the Day—the judgement Day—when every one will appear before Christ; ”For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what He has done, whether good or bad.” (Second Corinthians 5 vs 10.) “As it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9 vs 27).

Christ will judge each and everyone of us at His second coming, both the living and the dead, and He will reward us for how we have lived. Although judgment is already working in our lives, there will be a future, final judgment when Christ returns (Matthew 25 vs 31 - 46), and everyone’s life will be reviewed and evaluated. For the believers, their eternal destiny is secure, but Jesus will look at how they handled gifts, opportunities, and responsibilities in order to determine their heavenly rewards. God’s gracious gift of salvation does not free us from the requirement of faithful obedience. Everybody, Christians and non-Christians,  must give account of how they lived before Christ.

All believers in Christ should strive and endure to the end, that Jesus could say of you, “I know your works. See I have set before You an open door, and no one can shut it, for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” (Revelation 3 vs 8.) Enduring to the end is not a way to be saved but the evidence that a person is really committed to Jesus. Persistence is not a means to earn salvation; it is the by-product of a truly devoted life.

Prayer: Abba Father, Give me the grace to lead a life pleasing You at all times, that the Son of Man will confess my name before You, and Your angels, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.
PRAISE THE LORD!

WISDOM AND DEATH. OPEN HEAVEN

OPEN HEAVENS BY PST. ENOCH. A. ADEBOYE

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 26

WISDOM & DEATH

MEMORISE:
For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
Proverbs  1:32

READ:
Proverbs  8:32-36
8:32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.  8:33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.  8:34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.  8:35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.  8:36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Kings 18, Daniel 8:1-14

MESSAGE
Rejecting wisdom is a pathway that leads to death. Any human endeavour that is not founded on wisdom will sooner or later die a natural death. This is the reason why the Bible says in Proverbs  4:7:

"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding."

Why does the absence of wisdom result in death? I believe the story of the fox, a cunning animal known for its wisdom, should suffice in illustrating this. The lion was feared as the king of all animals in the jungle. However, he had become terribly old and sick and could no longer chase down his prey, so he devised a scheme to help him get his bfood with ease. He caught a small rabbit and assured the rabbit that he would nhot kill it, if the rabbit would go and inform all the other animals in the jungle that he had changed from being wicked and was now very friendly. The rabbit delivered this message and soon enough, all the animals udecided to visit the lion one after the other to convey ntheir "get-well-soon" greetings to him. However, every animal that went did not return. When it was the fox's turn to visit, he did not jgo inside the lion's den; u rather, he stayed outside and greeted the lion from a distance. The lion said to the fox, "Oh my friend, Mr. Fox, you also came? That's very thoughtful of you; please come in! Why are you greeting me from so far away?" The fox replied, "O king of the jungle, live forever! I am okay outside here, thank you!" Startled, the lion asked, "How do you mean you are comfortable in the sun?" The fox answered, "To be frank with you, O king, I really doubt your sudden change of attitude, and I fear that you are not genuinely sick!" While the fox was saying all this, he kept retreating further and further away from the lion's den. "When I got here, I saw the footprint of those who came in to greet you, but I cannot see any footprints coming out!" said the fox, and he fled for his dear life. This was how wisdom preserved the fox from ending up in the belly of the lion.

I encourage you to embrace wisdom in all you do. God's word is the source of all wisdom, instilling godly fear in our hearts. A lover of wisdom is a lover of life, and to be wise is to embrace the principles of God's word and the type of lifestyle it teaches. Doing so means death will be far away from you. Is wisdom your friend?

PRAYER POINT:
Father, I believe in the effectiveness of Your wisdom to guarantee life, please fill me with the wisdom that distinguishes a person in all areas of endeavour.

HYMN 3
1. When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His word
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey

Chorus:
Trust and obey,
For there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.

2. Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt nor a fear
Not a sigh nor a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

3. Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief nor a loss,
Not a frown nor a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.

4. But we never can prove
The delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favour He shows,
And the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

5. Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet,
Or we'll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do
Where He sends we will go
Never fear, only trust and obey.

TRUE RICHES IN CHRIST

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2019.

SUBJECT : TRUE RICHES ARE IN CHRIST!

Memory verse: “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked." (Revelation 3 vs 17.)

READ: Luke 12 vs 15 - 21:
12:15: And He said to them, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”
12:16: Then He spoke a parable to them, saying, “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully.
12:17: And he thought within himself, saying, “What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?”
12:18: So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods.
12:19: And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have much goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry.”
12:20: But God said unto him, “Fool! this night your soul will be required of you: then whose will those things be, which you have provided?”
12:21: “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

INTIMATION:
God’s measure of success is different from ours. Most people think that wealth is a sign of God’s approval, but true riches and good success is a function of our relationship and fellowship with Him. God calls us to faith, not to affluence. Character is more important to Him than our purses. Knowing this truth, we should be concerned about how we get our wealth. Some believers assume that numerous material possessions are a sign of God’s spiritual blessing.

In our contemporary society, people think that true riches connote having money, possessions, wealth, power and so on, hence their relentless desire to get ahead in pursuance of these things. But true riches are inherent in observing God's laws and being strong and courageous to obey, and follow His leading. You may not be rich by world's standards, but you will be rich in God's eyes, and His opinion is final and lasts forever. If you accumulate wealth only to enrich yourself, with no concern for helping others, you will enter eternity empty-handed. Jesus challenges us to think beyond earthbound goals and to use what we have been given for God’s kingdom. Faith, service, and obedience are the way to become rich toward God.

We find true wealth by developing our spiritual life, not by developing our financial assets. God is interested in what is lasting (our souls), not in what is temporary (our money and possessions). What you have in your heart, not your bank account, matters to God and endures for eternity.

The Scripture in Revelation 3 vs 17 - 18, Jesus said to the Laodiceans church, “Because you say, “I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.” Wealth, luxury, and ease can make people feel confident, satisfied, and complacent. But no matter how much you possess or how much money you make, you have nothing if you don’t have a vital relationship with Christ.

Laodicea was known for its great wealth. What the Laodiceans could see and buy had become more valuable to them than what is unseen and eternal. Christ told the Laodiceans to buy their gold from Him (real spiritual treasures). The city was proud of its cloth and dyeing industries; Christ told them to buy white garments from Him (His righteousness). Laodicea prided itself on its precious eye salve that healed many eye problems; Christ told them to buy salve for their eyes so they could see the truth (John 9 vs 39). Christ was showing the Laodiceans that true value was not in material possessions but in a right relationship with God. Their possessions and achievements were valueless compared with the everlasting future of Christ’s kingdom.

Jesus said, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possess.” (Luke 12 vs 15.) Jesus says that the good life has nothing to do with being wealthy, the exact opposite of what society usually says. A truly fulfilled life is living in a relationship with God and doing His work. If you are trying to find fulfillment only through riches, wealth may be the only reward you will ever get—and it does not last. We should not seek comfort now at the expense of eternal life. Our heavenly rewards will be the most accurate reflection of what we have done on earth, and they will be far greater than we can imagine. How does your current level of wealth affect your spiritual desire? Instead of centering your life primarily on comfort and luxury, find your true riches in Christ.

Prayer: Abba Father, You have put eternity in our hearts. Engrace me to be eternity conscious that I may serve and obey You to obtain Your crown of life, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.
PRAISE THE LORD!

ACCEPT HIS TIMING

*ACCEPT HIS TIMING⚓*
*TODAY’S SCRIPTURE📖*
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart._

_*Galatians 6:9 KJV*_
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

*TODAY’S WORD🍞*
I’d love to tell you that if you stay in faith, if you believe, GOD will always answer your prayer within twenty-four hours, or at least within the first week. But we know that’s not reality. GOD promises He will be true to His Word, but He never puts a timeframe on it. In fact, He tells us that we need patience to see the promises come to pass. Sure, it would be a lot easier if GOD told us when we were going to get well, when we would meet the right person, or when our child would straighten up. But the truth is, that wouldn’t take any faith. It takes faith to say, “GOD, I don’t know when You are going to do it, but I trust You enough to believe that You will do it, that the answer is already in my future.”

Today and every day let this be your prayer: “God, give me the grace to accept Your timing.” That means you’re asking for GOD’s strength, His supernatural empowerment to stand strong while you are waiting. Choose to keep believing, choose to praise Him, and choose to accept His timing, whether it’s twenty minutes or twenty years, knowing that what GOD promised He will bring to pass.

*A PRAYER FOR TODAY🙏*
Father, thank You for Your hand of favor, blessing and mercy on my life. You are good and faithful. Because of that I trust You. I trust Your love, and I trust Your timing in *JESUS*’ name. Amen Shalom good morning from evangelist OLATUNBOSUN BOSEDE ISAAC

POWER IN HIS WORD OPEN HEAVEN

OPEN HEAVENS BY PST. ENOCH .A. ADEBOYE

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER
25

POWER IN HIS WORD

MEMORISE:
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:3

READ:
Genesis 1:1-5
1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.  1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.  1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.  1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.  1:5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Kings 16-17, & Daniel 7:13-28

MESSAGE:
Those who fail to live according to God's word don't realise that they cannot attain their full potential in life without the power in the word, which created all things in the universe. Going against God's word is like standing in the path of a moving train. Those who do this will only succeed in wreaking havoc on themselves now and in eternity. When an engine is used contrary to its manufacturer's guidelines, it breaks down. For example, if you try to run a diesel engine on petrol, you will only end up watching the money you spent in buying it go up in flames. This illustration describes what happens when a person goes contrary to God's word, either ignorantly or deliberately. Since all things were made by the word of God, it goes without saying that this same word has the power to repair and restore those things it created that have become faulty. Speaking on the restorative and curative power of the word, Psalm 107:20 says:

"He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions."

It is therefore not surprising that God always emphasises compliance with His word.

Genesis 1:2 reveals that before the creative power of God's word came into action, the earth was shapeless, empty and chaotic. However, when the omnipotent power of the word was released, the earth took good shape. Beloved, are you in despair because your life seems void and shapeless? If you allow God's word to operate in your life today, everything will turn around for the better. When God commanded that there should be light, light came into being. Those who live by God's word do not live in darkness, because Jesus is the Word of God and also the Light of the world (John 8:12). When He comes into your life, emptiness becomes history. For one reason or the other, some people have never experienced a good day since they were born. If they allow God's Word, in the person of Jesus, to dwell in them, they will have a testimony like the one Peter had. As a fisherman, Peter laboured all through the night, without catching any fish, but when he allowed Jesus into his boat, he had a net-breaking and boat-sinking catch of fish in the same place where he had earlier laboured and caught nothing (Luke 5:4-7). It is indeed God who gives power to get wealth, and this power is in His word (Deuteronomy 8:18, Joshua 1:8). The light that God's word gives is available to anyone groping in darkness. Remember, darkness is harmful, and so we need the light of God's word to illuminate our paths so that we do not stumble or fall in a ditch. Psalm  119:105 says:

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

Beloved, embrace the infallible word of God today, and it will do you good.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, let Your word be glorified in my life from now on in Jesus' Name.

HYMN 3:
1. When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His word
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey

Chorus:
Trust and obey,
For there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.

2. Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt nor a fear
Not a sigh nor a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

3. Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief nor a loss,
Not a frown nor a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.

4. But we never can prove
The delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favour He shows,
And the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

5. Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet,
Or we'll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do
Where He sends we will go
Never fear, only trust and obey.

PRAYER

Morning Prayer:

John. 8 vs 10-11
When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

Prayer:
Wherever we have been wrongly accused, the Almighty God will defend us in Jesus name, Amen. The Almighty God will scatter every gathering of household enemies, planning to  condemn us before our benefactors in Jesus name, Amen.
We shall not be condemned in Jesus name, Amen.
Beautiful Morning
Shalom good morning from evangelist OLATUNBOSUN BOSEDE ISACC

OBSERVE TIMES OF SILENCE. BEFORE GOS

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2019.

SUBJECT : OBSERVE TIMES OF SILENCE BEFORE GOD!

Memory verse: “For Thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” But you would not," (Isaiah 30 vs 15.)

READ: Psalm 46 vs 10; Revelation 8 vs 1 - 4:
Psalm 46:10: Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

Revelation 8:1: When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
8:2: And I saw the seven angels who stand before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.
8:3: Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
8:4: And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of saints ascended before God from the angel's hand.

INTIMATION:
Silence is the state of remaining quiet and still; an absence of sound. This necessitates concentration and attentiveness. Observing a quiet or silent time before God is reverently honoring Him and His power and majesty. And concentration and attentiveness is a prerequisite for hearing God’s still small voice. How proper, then for us to be still in honor and reverence to Him, and in patience to hear from Him. Take time each day to be still and honor God. This is a command from God. In Psalm 46 vs 10, God said, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” God is exalted and reverenced in quietness, and His works are also done quietly.

In communing with God in prayers, often we dump our requests on Him, and end our prayers in Jesus’ name, without really waiting to hear from Him. We hardly allow Him to speak in the conversation, but do all the speaking while He listens. But we require to hear what He has to say to us. And when He speaks, we can only hear from Him in quietness because He speaks in a still small voice. We must wait for God “in quietness and confidence.” No amount of fast talking or hasty activity could speed up God’s grand design.

The Scripture recorded, in First Kings 19 vs 11 - 13, God’s revelation to prophet Elijah regarding how He speaks; “Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountain and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind, and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, ”What are you doing here Elijah?”

Elijah knew that the sound of a still small voice belonged to God. He realized that God doesn’t reveal Himself only in powerful, miraculous ways. To look for God only in something big (rallies, churches, conferences, highly visible leaders) may be to miss Him because He is often found gently whispering in the quietness of a humble heart.  Are you listening for God? Step back from the noise and activity of your busy life and listen humbly and quietly for His guidance. It may come when you least expect it.

Our memory verse notes that when Christ opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. With all the activity, this dramatic pause must have seemed to last for an eternity. During this time, the only activity was prayers of the saints (see Revelation 8 vs 3 - 4). We must seek God in times of silence. How proper for us to be quiet and honor God for His power and might. Take time each day to be silent and exalt God. Silence also conveys trust and confidence in God. We can trust God, and be peacefully confident that He will give us strength to face our difficulties, and provide the justice against oppressors that we seek.

The Scripture says, “But the Lord is in His Holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him.” (Habakkuk 2 vs 20.) We who worship the living God come to Him in silent awe and reverence. In so doing we acknowledge that God is in control and knows what He is doing.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of quietness and confidence in You, that I may humbly come to You daily in reverential silence, and hear You speak to me, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.
PRAISE THE LORD!

PRAY FOR YOUR LEADERS :OPEN HEAVEN

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: TUESDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER 2019

THEME: PRAY FOR YOUR LEADERS


MEMORISE:
Brethren, pray for us.
1 Thessalonians 5:25


READ: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2

3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:  3:2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.


MESSAGE

Prayer is such a potent weapon that can do and undo things in people's lives. It is so powerful that even the person praying cannot comprehend the extent of its reach. Those who walked with God in times past knew the importance of prayer, and this is what inspired Paul's request in today's memory verse. Even though he was a prayer warrior himself, he asked the brethren to continually pray for him and his team. Our Lord Jesus Christ also demonstrated the importance of prayer by often spending all night in prayer alone, encouraging His disciples also to be prayerful (Luke 18:1-8). In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed for grace to accomplish the will of His Father and also asked His disciples to join Him in prayer, rebuking them when they did not do so. Matthew  26:38 & 40 says:

"Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me... And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?"


Paul also learnt from the Lord about the potency of corporate prayers, which is why he often craved prayers for himself and his team in his epistles. He believed that they could do nothing without God, and that God would do nothing without prayer, based on His principle in Matthew 7:7. On the surface, one would expect that pastors alone should pray for their flock, but in today's Bible reading, we see an apostle giving the Church at Thessalonica a prayer request that the Lord would have His way in the ministry He committed to them. He also asked the Church to pray for their deliverance from wicked men who did not believe in the gospel, trying their best to stop its spread. The Church is facing a lot of obstacles today because we are not praying enough like the early Church did. Peter would not have escaped King Herod's sword if the early Church was not fervent in prayers. The Lord answered their prayers by sending an angel to rescue him. Having witnessed the great impact of prayer, Apostle James wrote in James 5:16b, saying:

"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

Beloved, we ought to continually pray for our leaders. The temptations and battles facing Christian leaders are beyond what members of the Church can imagine. We must therefore faithfully and consistently pray for our spiritual and secular leaders so that they may not make mistakes in governance, and so that we can live a peaceful and holy life in this world (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Spiritual leaders need our prayers to administer their responsibilities correctly, and in order not to disappoint God and betray the trust reposed in them by the Church. Furthermore, they need our prayers to finish well and strong. Are you praying for them?


ACTION POINT:
Make it an obligation to pray for the spiritual leaders God has set over you on a daily basis.


BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Kings 14-15, Daniel 7:1-12

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE


HYMN 3: TRUST AND OBEY

1. When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His word
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey

Chorus:
Trust and obey,
For there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.

2. Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt nor a fear
Not a sigh nor a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

3. Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief nor a loss,
Not a frown nor a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.

4. But we never can prove
The delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favour He shows,
And the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

5. Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet,
Or we'll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do
Where He sends we will go
Never fear, only trust and obey.contact

WISDOM IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2019.

SUBJECT : WISDOM IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD!

Memory verse: "That God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him." (Ephesians 1 vs 17.)

READ: Proverbs 2 vs 1 - 11:
2:1: My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you,
2:2: So that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding;
2:3: Yes if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding,
2:4: If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures;
2:5: Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
2:6: For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding
2:7: He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly.
2:8: He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints.
2:9: Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path.
2:10: When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul
2:11: Discretion will preserve you, understanding will keep you.

INTIMATION:
Wisdom in the knowledge of God. The apostle Paul was a man who enjoyed this benefit from knowing God. Paul always prayed that his followers would learn more about the advantages of a deeper walk with the Lord. In our memory verse, he prayed such prayer for the believers in Ephesus. In that verse, the word 'spirit' is not a direct reference to the Holy Spirit, but rather a reference to a mental disposition of genuine spiritual understanding which can only come from the Holy Spirit. These Christians already had the indwelling Holy Spirit. Now Paul wanted them to grasp the spiritual realities available to them and appropriate these truths in their lives.

Some people feel inadequate in spiritual understanding. They read the Word of God, but they have great difficulty understanding it or totally miss the appropriate application in their lives. This is because the lack the spirit of wisdom. Where is this spirit of wisdom found? Paul said in the knowledge of Him (God). The people who experience God’s close relationship will have a deepening spiritual understanding despite their lack of theological training. The time they spend with Him will provide more insight and purpose of life than education could ever provide.

The apostles Peter and John were like that. They taught about Jesus and salvation in the temple courtyard one day and made the religious leaders very angry. The two were taken into custody and interrogated by the religious leaders, who demanded to know where they received their powers to do miracles. Peter spoke first and delivered a powerful testimony of the person of Jesus Christ and demonstrated his familiarity with the Old Testament Scriptures (Acts 4 vs 8 - 12). All of this from an uneducated fisherman because He had been with the LORD (Acts 4 vs 13),

The Jewish leaders could see that Peter's relationship with the Lord was not a shallow one. It was a ever-growing, ever-deepening walk with Christ. The religious leaders with all their theological training were no match for Peter because people who know God closely have His wisdom and mind; they shall be strong and do exploits.

In the passage we read today, we understand that wisdom is both a God-given gift and fruit of energetic search. Wisdom's starting point is God and His revealed Word; the source of knowledge and understanding. Here we learn that wisdom is God's gift to us, but He gives it only to those who earnestly seek it. The pathway to wisdom is strenuous. When we are on it, we discover that true wisdom is God's and that we cannot create it by our own efforts. But because God's wisdom is hidden from the rebellious and foolish, it takes effort to find it and use it. God gives wisdom and victory to the godly but not to those drifting through life or acting irresponsibly with gifts and resources.

We gain wisdom through a constant process of growing. First, we must trust and honor God. Second, we must realize that the Bible reveals God's wisdom to us. Third, we must make a lifelong series of right choices. Fourth, when we make sinful or mistaken choices, we must learn from our errors and recover. People don't develop all aspect of wisdom at once.

Prayer: Abba Father, You are the source of wisdom, which is the principal thing. Endue me with the spirit of wisdom, and understanding, that I may live a victorious life in You, in Jesus' Name I have prayed. Amen.
PRAISE THE LORD!

DON'T TAKE GOD FOR GRANTED

Don't Take God For Granted.

Bible Text: Isaiah 65:2-3.

God is God, He should be feared, respected, glorified and honoured. He should not be treated anyhow.

He is not happy when taken for granted, and many today, are doing this to Him, which is so painful and annoying.
Is is bad for God to be fair?

There are some, after dining with God at His table, they will go back and dine with the devil.

Some even when sharing their testimony, they take Him for granted by their attitudes.

They also take the selfless and sacrificial service of His servants for granted.

Ish. 65:1 -
He made Himself available to them that don't deserve Him, even when they don't call on Him. Yet they take Him for granted.

Many also, after going through deliverance and have been set free from challenges, they give testimony as if it was their effort and not God who did it for them.

Ish. 65:2 - He spread out His hands to a rebellious people, yet they take Him for granted.

God is no respecter of persons, He deserves His glory from you.

There are also some workers in His vineyard, who commits terrible sins and indulge in unrighteous, unholy life style and living in ingratitude to Him. All these depicts - taking God for granted.

You have know the truth, why don't you stay with the truth?

Check your ways.

Why go for short cut and sinning against Him?

What God did not give you, know that you don't deserve it. And there is nothing He cannot do for give.

Again God is not happy when taken for granted.

Three Things To Consider About God's Nature:

Psalm 116:5- He is gracious.
He is righteous.
He is merciful.

Psalm 117:2- "For His merciful kindness is great towards us: and His truth endureth for ever.

Why Do People Take God For Granted?

Psalm 103:8 - Because He is merciful, gracious, slow to anger and plenteous mercy.

Don't take His goodness and mercy for granted. You need to be transparent before Him.

The Other Side Of God:

Deut. 4:24 - He is a consuming fire and a jealous God.
Hebrews 12:29- For our God is a consuming fire

The Remedy:

Jeremiah 3:12 - "Go and proclaim these words towards the north (His people, His church) and say,
Return, thou backsliding church and brethren, and I will not cause Mine anger to fall upon you: for I Am merciful,  saith the Lord, and I will not keep anger for ever.

Let's not take God for granted.

Prophetic Prayers.
Lord, please purify Your altar and remove the stains from your church in Jesus Name.

Prophetess Victoria Okpe.

WALKING OUT OF PAST INTO BRIGHTIER FUTURE

Do you know that in each waking day, you will find scores of blessings and opportunities for positive change? Do you also know that you cannot reach out to what is in front of you until you let go of what is behind you? Listen, do not let your today be stolen by your unchangeable past or your indefinite future. Today is a new day. It is a new dawn. Plan for big for today. Focus more on what you want to achieve this week and go for it. Aim high. Partner with God.  Success is yours in Jesus name.  Very good morning and have a glorious week ahead.

PRAYER

May God Almighty fulfill the beautiful plans He has for your life, may He be with you as a Mighty Warrior, He will empower you with the spirit of boldness to overcome every fearful situation.
  The Lord will visit your foundation and destroy the source of every fear, He will strengthen you in every area where you are weary, and He will grant divine strength and courage, you are blessed, your children are blessed, the works of your hands are blessed, in Jesus precious name.
  Have a wonderful week ahead God bless from evangelist OLATUNBOSUN BOSEDE ISACC

WORD OF GOD

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2019.

SUBJECT : THE WORD OF GOD!

Memory verse: "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4 vs 12.)

READ: Isaiah 55 vs 8 - 11:
55:8: "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD.
55:9: For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.
55:10: "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
55:11: So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

INTIMATION:
The Word is the revealed Will and power of God. The Word of God is in two parts; written Word called Logos, and the spoken Word called Rhema. The written Word—Logos—is the message from the Lord, delivered with His authority and made effective by His power. Logos is reasoned speech, and sometimes is used as the sum of God’s utterances. While the spoken Word—Rhema—denotes that which is spoken; the articulated expression of a thought. It is God’s Word put into work with His power available to perform it.

The significance of Rhema (spoken Word), as distinct from Logos (written Word) is exemplified in the injunction to take "the sword of the Spirit, which the Word of God” (Ephesians 6 vs 17); here the reference is not to the whole Bible as such, but to the individual scripture which the Spirit brings to our remembrance for use in time of need, a prerequisite being the regular storing of the mind with Scripture.

The word of God (Logos or Rhema) is an essential for a godly life. It is living, life-changing, and dynamic as it works in us. It reveals who we are and what we are not, in relation to what God demands of us. It penetrates the core of our moral and spiritual life, and discerns what is within us, both good and evil. The demands of God's Word require decisions. We must not only listen to the Word, we must also let it shape our lives.

For this reason, the apostle Paul in Acts 20 vs 32, says, "And now I commend you to God, and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them that are sanctified." We are commended to God and the Word of His grace. This Word builds the Christ nature and the love nature of the Father into the individual. In other words, God is building Himself into us, making Himself a part of us as the Word dominates, rules and satisfies our spirit nature. Just as the Nature of God—immortal and all powerful—so is His Word that abides forever.

We bring the power of God to bear in any circumstances or challenge of life when we apply the Word to that circumstance or situation. Consequently, we become over-comers by the Word, as it is written, "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony..." (Revelation 12 vs 11). When the Word is built up in you, the exploiting power of God is readily available to you, and you are an overcomer in any life's circumstances you face. This is because whatever you ask for the Lord is done for you: "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you." (John 15 vs 7.)

The apostle Paul, in continuing his commendation of the Word of God to believers, says in Colossians 3 vs 16, says, "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom...." This counsel of the apostle Paul to believers in Colosse is one of the most striking sentences in his epistle. It means giving the Word—the message of Christ—plenty of room in your life. It is not only committing the Word to memory, which is valuable, but letting that Word become an integral part of our beings, that is letting the Word live in and rule you that you may live a life of exceeding exploits. The Word dwelling in you is equivalent to Christ personally being in you. The glory of God becomes your inheritance when Christ dwells in you. (Colossians 1 vs 28.)

Prayer: Abba Father, give me the grace to study and meditate continually in Your Word, that Your Word may dwell in me richly, empowering to lead a life of exploits, in Jesus' Name I have prayed. Amen.
PRAISE THE LORD!

AVOID THESE SEVEN ABOMINATIONS

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: MONDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER 2019

THEME: AVOID THESE SEVEN ABOMINATIONS


MEMORISE:
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
Proverbs  21:6


READ: Proverbs 6:16-19

6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:  6:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,  6:18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,  6:19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.


MESSAGE

There are many things that people do that hinder their progress in life or even permanently destroy their destiny. We shall be discussing seven of these today. From today's Bible text, these seven include a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that are swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaks lies and a person who sows discord among brethren. These all are abominable in the sight of God because of the great negative impact they have on the lives of others. For example, a proud look demeans a fellow human being, which can bring about low self-esteem, which in turn has led several people to commit suicide. In other words, a person can cause the death of another through pride. In addition, a liar is not better than a murderer. The story of Joseph proves this. But for the mercy of God, the lie Potiphar's wife told against Joseph could have cost him his life, because it is a grievous thing indeed for a slave to attempt to rape his mater's wife. Those who lie against their fellow human beings will not go unpunished by God unless they repent. Proverbs 26:28 says:

"A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin."


Another abomination is nursing wicked and evil thoughts. Such thoughts, more often than not, lead to acts which the perpetrator might live to regret, like crimes of passion for example. For this reason, Jesus said in Matthew  5:21-22a:

"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment:"

Mischief-makers are in danger of God's judgement, and those who profit from the misfortune of others will not go unpunished. This also applies to those who bear false witness for any reason whatsoever (Exodus 20:16). The seventh abomination is the one that is common in the household of faith: sowing seeds of discord among brethren. This abomination is so deadly that it can set a whole church ablaze and give room for the devil to freely operate among the brethren because they are no longer walking in agreement. In Mark 3:25, the Lord said a house that is divided against itself cannot stand. No wonder Paul said we should look out for and avoid the so-called "brethren" who cause division in the Church (Romans 16:17). Beloved, God is warning us against these seven deadly abominations today. Repent if are involved in any of them.


ACTION POINT:
Examine yourself to see if you exhibit any of these seven abominations in your character and repent of it.


BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Kings 12-13, Daniel 6:14-28

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE


HYMN 2: OH JESUS, I HAVE PROMISED

1 O Jesus, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me,
My Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle
If Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If Thou wilt be my guide.

2 O let me feel Thee near me,
The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
The tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me,
Around me and within;
But, Jesus, draw Thou nearer,
And shield my soul from sin.

3 Oh let me hear Thee speaking
In accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion,
The murmurs of self-will;
Oh speak to reassure me,
To hasten or control;
O speak, and make me listen,
Thou Guardian of my soul.

4 O Jesus, Thou hast promised
To all who follow Thee,
That where Thou art in glory,
There shall Thy servant be;
And, Jesus, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow,
My Master and my Friend.

5 Oh, let me see Thy footmarks,
And in them plant mine own;
My hope to follow duly
Is in Thy strength alone.
Oh, guide me, call me, draw me,
Uphold me to the end;
And then to rest receive me,
My Saviour and my Friend.